Which OS should I chose?

I bought HP ProBook 4520s without any OS. Which OS should I use? I prefer Windows 7 (professional/ultimate). I came to know there are two type of OS one is OEM and another is retail version. So, for my case which version (OEM & Retail) would be better? And which are the pros ans cons of each?

 

Simple difference:

OEM = system builder license, can only be installed on one comp and not transferable
RETAIL= you can transfer it if your system dies, to a new comp

cheers ...

 

Thanks qhn

 

Do you really think Pro is faster than Ultimate? What is your basis for that opinion? Ultimate is just the Retail version of Windows 7 Enterprise and Bitlocker is not enabled by default and when it is enable it does not affect performance.

Now if your goal is to save $20 then that is a different story.

 

No, there is literally no difference in performance. The "bloated features" don't even run unless you tell them to.

 

The thing is Ultimate offers features (in comparison to Pro) 99% of all users would never use. Even if the price difference is just 20 bucks I wouldn't pay it - 20 bucks is 4GB RAM stick nowadays or a nice memory-stick - far more useful than Ultimate, UNLESS you are aware of the differences and do need some of what ultimate offers and pro doesn't.

 

Or, for the price you would pay for a retail version of Windows 7, get a technet subscription. Not only do you get access to all versions of Windows 7, but a lot of other Microsoft software as well. Legally.

 

I'm also trying to decide between home or pro. Will be buying a malibal lotus P151hm1 tonight hopefully. I'll be using it for gaming (diablo 3 when it finally comes out), and for work (contractor).

So for gaming any reason to spend $60 extra for pro?

And for work or home entertainment. Not sure if there are features I'd like for home networking that only comes with pro. I don't know what remote desktop server does entirely, sounds cool tho.

Any input is appreciated.

 

Do you need to join an Active Directory Domain for work? Do you need to use EFS for work? If you anwsered yes to either go for Pro, if not Home should be fine....

 

Do you need to connect to your work's domain, or maybe printing while on the run? If no, then it's not work it. In a nutshell, the only practical differences are that Pro has location-aware printing, Windows Server domain joining (if your try with Home, it'll disconnect within seconds), and XP Mode (probably not needed).

Compare Windows 7 Editions - Windows 7 Forums

 

^^^
And xp mode is a joke any way... vmware etc using an old xp disc is much better

 

XP Mode works fine with the older games I play (yes, XP Mode isn't ideal for games, but whatever).

An even better solution would be to simply stop using older software and upgrade to the current version of whatever software is being used. Native Win 7 software works better on Win 7 than Win XP software does on Win 7.

 

Thanks guys

One of the reasons I asked about gaming specifically, is Windows 7 Home doesn't support ram over 16 gb. After a little more research I'm fairly certain my laptop will max out at 16 gb anyways.

 

You probably wouldn't even need any more than 8GB anyway. Maybe in about 4 years, 16GB will become the new "standard", but by then you'll probably be looking at buying a new laptop anyway.

 

That's what I was thinking, problably won't need more than 16gb ram untill the next laptop I purchase in 2 to 4 yrs.